Govt biggest litigant, accounts for 50% of cases: CJI Ramana

New Delhi: The Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana, said on Saturday that the government is the biggest litigant and according to statistics it accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the cases in the courts. CJI said that if the legislature passes a law by deliberating on the bill clause by clause and considering people's views, the scope of litigation will be minimised. He was speaking at the Vigyaan Bhawan of New Delhi addressing the 39th Chief Justices' conference which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended by the Chief Justices of all the High Courts, Chief ministers of states and the Union Law minister Kiren Rijju.

CJI Ramana said that litigations arise due to non-performance by the executive and legislature not realising its full potential. He said that if the tehsildar acts upon the grievance of the farmer, the farmer will not approach the court, if revenue authorities acquired the land with due process of law, people will not approach court and such matters constitute 66 per cent of cases. He said that defiance and deliberate inaction by the government despite the court's judgements is not good for the judiciary. "Don't get me wrong, I have the highest regard for the legislature and executive.....I was misunderstood when I pointed out last year on 15th August, but I was merely pointing out certain deficiencies. Ultimately my views were shared by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla," said CJI.

Speaking about other reasons for the high pendency of cases, CJI highlighted the issue of inadequate infrastructure, lack of public prosecutors, misuse of PILs etc. He said that in some district courts environment is such that lady advocates feel apprehensive. For funds, CJI said that government allocates enough funds but they remain underutilized.

CJI said that the focus should be on creating posts for judges, and filling up vacancies. Currently, there are 20 judges per 10 lakh of the population which is "alarming", said CJI. "Unless the foundation is strong, structure can not be sustained," said CJI. He also addressed the various demands that have come up for introducing local languages in court proceedings and said that it's time now that they are revisited.

"While discharging our duties, we all must be mindful of the Lakshman Rekha. The judiciary would never come in the way of governance, if it is in accordance with the law. We share your anxiety and concern regarding the welfare of the people," he added.